5 Things You Can Do to Ensure Your Dental Crowns Stay in Great Condition

Dental crowns are used for a variety of purposes. It can be to cover a tooth that has had a root canal, restoring a cracked tooth, to correct a gap in your teeth, or even to cover a stain.

The crown is a way to protect the tooth from all outside sources like food, carbonated beverages, or even other teeth. They serve as an important solution to many common tooth problems.

While dental crowns can address a handful of dental issues, maintaining their life is an important part of your responsibility as a patient.

Here are five helpful tips to keep your dental crowns in great condition:

1. Practice good oral hygiene

This is perhaps the most simple of the tips on the list, however, it is an issue that a lot of people ignore. Getting into a habit of good oral hygiene is perhaps one of the easiest ways to take care of your dental crowns. Flossing, brushing, and rinsing with a mouthwash a minimum of two times a day is an important step in ensuring that your crowns are not exposed to harmful bacteria for an extended amount of time. Make sure there are no food particles attached to the crown to keep it plaque free.

2. Go to the dentist for regular cleanings

Going to the dentist twice a year to have your teeth and gums cleaned is a great way to ensure the longevity of your dental crowns. A dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth, reaching in the places you cannot reach easily on your own. Your dentist can also check the dental crown to make sure that you are not forming any unhealthy habits that endanger its condition. This is another simple way to ensure your dental crowns last as long as possible.

3. Avoid eating ice and hard candy

You do not want your dental crowns to chip or crack so avoid eating things like jawbreakers or other hard candies. While ice is softer, it can still cause cracking and should also be avoided. If you feel you must consume these things, make sure you use the other side of your mouth and not where your crown is. If you have multiple dental crowns throughout your mouth, try to avoid them all together.

4. Wear a mouthguard while playing sports

While playing sports or other physical activities, your crowns are in danger from sudden impacts. Wearing a mouthguard minimizes the potential damage from these activities. The biggest danger to a dental crown is chipping or cracking. It is smart to protect your mouth like you protect your head with a helmet.

5. Stop grinding your teeth

Grinding your teeth is the most glaring issue and danger to your dental crowns. The friction can cause chips and cracks in the material of the crown and lessen its life exponentially. When you are stressed, stop and ask yourself if you are grinding your teeth. Take steps to catch yourself in the act and stop yourself. If you are worried about grinding your teeth at night while you sleep, a night guard is a fantastic option to prevent that from happening.

Dental crowns should last for years when properly taken care of. Following these simple steps will help you keep your crown intact longer. Contact Cumming's Family Dentist in Cumming at (770) 205-9226 to find out more about dental crowns.